Platform Statement: The Guidance and Career Development Division is the “heart” of ACTE. Often we are the first “face of tech” our students see—their starting point and navigator toward life-changing training and education. Too many of today’s students still do not have adequate preparation to successfully navigate the changing workplace due to a lack of career knowledge and awareness. They drift through high school without knowledge and information of career opportunities and skills they need to succeed, hence discouragement and dropping out. We must do better. CTE’s system is the solution to closing the skills gap for our students! I would be proud to represent this frontline group of men and women whose role is vital in preparing our students for success in a global economy. As vice president, I will focus on three initiatives: (1) expand the visual and vocal opportunities to promote the CTE solution to the public; (2) help advance a more intense focus on middle school as the timeframe for developing career pathways and plans of study; (3) strengthen efforts to recruit and retain multigenerational, ethnically diverse and geographically dispersed members.